Vanuatu football

Midfielder Ronaldo Wilkins can't wait for Wednesday's do-or-die semi-final at Lautoka's Churchill Park.

Vanuatu finished top of Group B with victories in all three of their matches, including a 1-0 victory over the host nation Fiji.

Wilkins told OFC TV he was full of confidence after their weekend win over Fiji.

"We are all happy because I think it's our first time in a long while to beat Fiji on their home ground and that's one thing we are super proud of and it's a great achievement for us," he said.

 Kalo revealed this after scoring a hat-trick against Papua New Guinea and helping Vanuatu advance into the semi-finals of the OFC Men’s Olympic Qualifiers in Lautoka. 

 The prolific attacking midfielder was the star for Vanuatu in 2017 scoring three goals in narrow 3-2 defeats against Germany and Mexico. 

 His exploits in South Korea led him to pen his first European deal in 2017 with amateur Switzerland side Ascona FC.  

 “The game was tough but I am glad for my boys since we did a good job earning points in our first two matches,” he said. 

Heading into the match to grab all three points, Vanuatu started the match against Papua New Guinea on the front foot in the opening 10 minutes.

New Zealand base Azariah Soromon connected his head with a Bong Kalo cross from the right to put Vanuatu in front inside the first three minutes.

The early goal swings the momentum in Vanuatu’s way as they controlled more of the ball possession.

Papua New Guinea responded after conceding the goal with some encouraging attacking moves which lack the end product.

The Northern Irish coach joins Bhayangkara in the Indonesian top-flight.

The team is currently sitting 10th in the 18 team league. They finished third last season, after winning the title in 2017.

Munster only took charge of Vanuatu in February and leaves after a disappointing Pacific Games where Vanuatu failed to get out of the group stage.

He also coached the young Vanuatu team that ended fifth out of six teams in the Youth Development Tournament.

The junior Matilda's are preparing for next month's Asian U-16 Women's Championship, which also serves as a qualifier for the FIFA Women's U-17 world cup next year in India.

Last week the Australians were in Tonga where they ran joint training sessions and played a game against the Tonga U-19 women's team who they beat 6-0.

Junior Matilda's assistant coach, Negosh Popovich, said it's an amazing cultural experience for the girls and getting conditioned to the heat is an important part of their preparations.

The side was not able to score a goal to the 9-men Fiji side after Defender Kishan Sami and forward Samuela Drudru were shown red cards late in the second half of the game.

Vanuatu earlier defeated Tahiti 2-0 in their opening match of the competition.

Meanwhile the Vodafone Fiji women’s team maintained their winning record in the tri-nations series defeating Singapore 3-1 and hosts Vanuatu by 1-0.

The Pacific archipelago competed at its first FIFA tournament, bowing out at the group stage of the FIFA U-20 World Cup Korea Republic 2017, before ending the year on a high by taking gold in both the men’s and women’s editions of the Pacific Mini Games.

Moffat Kilifa scored Ifira’s only goal in 40 minutes as Ifira held on their lead until the final whistle.

The win puts Ifira Black Bird top of the ladder now with 20 points.

In the other matches yesterday to start the second leg, Mauriki registered their first win in the competition after they beat Siaraga 1-0, Mauwia beat Tafea 1-0 and Digicel Amicale and Erakor Golden Star ended their match with a draw 1-1.

Latest PVFA Digicel Premier League Standing after round 8.

Tony Kaltack found the back of Siaraga’s net in the early minutes of the match on Saturday.

But Siaraga replied with a penalty shot and leveled the scoreboard before the end of the first half.

After the break, Siaraga continued to put more pressure on Erakor defenders but Kalfter Kaltack finally helped his team beat Siaraga when he dribbled past their defenders and made no mistake as he tapped the ball into an empty net past Siaraga young goalkeeper.

Final score, Erakor Golden Star 2-1 Siaraga.

Reports received from Torba Football Association representative, Joe Tagar said Vaum United smashed Wanmolmol FC 7-0 and Spirit 0 11 FC beat Tanmet FC 2-1.

Fixtures of Day Three on Tuesday 25 October 2016 will see Tanmet FC take on Wanmolmol FC and at 3pm Vaum United will meet host Spirit 011 FC.

The two top clubs in Pool C will meet Malmapa Revivors FC, Rainbow FC, Nalkutan FC and Medics FC in the second round of the competition kicks off begining of next month.

Latest Pool C standing